My Bookish Crush

Every once in a while I read a book that causes me to have a "brain crush" on someone--it's not that I'm romantically attracted to them, but they are so brilliant that I'm reverent and filled with awe by them. Michael Sullivan, who wrote Connecting Boys with Books is one of these people, as is teen literature historian Michael Cart. But my biggest brain crush is on Dr. Leonard Sax, a medial doctor and psychologist whose work focuses on gender differences in children. As a lifelong feminist and very opinionated person, his books were a huge revelation to me. Boys Adrift talks about the five factors that are harming modern boys in their quest to grow up, and Why Gender Matters talks about the inherent differences between boys and girls and how we should honor these differences without stifling our kids. Sax's writing is chock full of statistics yet still manages to be interesting and very readable. These books changed my mind about single sex education, and completely changed the way I look at bottled water. If you have children or are interested in how children learn and grow, you might like to try Dr. Leonard Sax.

A Jodi Picoult Tidbit

I first read a Jodi Picoult book when My Sister's Keeper was the "One Book, One County" selection at the library where I worked. I'd never gotten around to reading her because I was convinced her writing would be sappy and bland and altogether not interesting. Was I ever wrong!!! I now love her books and think that she has her finger on the pulse of our society in a way that is really intelligent. For example, her newest book, House Rules, is coming out in March 2010 and features a teenaged boy with Asperger's who is accused of murder. If this were in anyone else's hands, I might accuse them of cashing in on the success of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, but I know that Picoult will bring something new and fresh to her tale. She will handle her protagonist with sensitivity, and I have no doubt she will deliver a tale that speaks to many people and makes them think.

I Can't Wait!!

If you read this blog with any regularity, you know that I'm a big fan of Alan Bradley's debut mystery, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. The young protagonist was just so quirky and delightful, and the relationships in the story were just so great, and the mystery was just so fun, I was sad when I was done. The second in the series, The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag is coming out in March 2010, and you better believe I'll be one of the first in line to read it.

I'm also looking forward to Kate Braestrup's second book, Marriage and Other Acts of Charity: A Memoir, which comes out next month. Braestrup wrote Here If You Need Me: A True Story about becoming a chaplain for the Maine game wardens after her husband was killed in a car accident. It's a beautiful book about peace and acceptance, and it's the only audiobook I've ever enjoyed. Braestrup has a unique way of looking at the world, and a lot of wisdom for someone so young and . . . well . . . "normal."

I Love Surprises!!

There are many, I am sure, who would consider me an indiscriminate reader. There are very few topics or genres that I avoid, and if someone gives me a book, I'm usually willing to at least give it a try. Sometimes, though, I will start to read a book with the preconceived notion that I'm not going to enjoy it very much. When these books turn out to be wonderful, it's such a pleasant surprise!

Ordinarily, I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, and I'm particularly not a fan of civil rights novels for children and teens. I just feel that, while rushing to make their point, these books tend to get very simplistic, hollowly written, and manipulative. Morning in a Different Place by Mary Ann McGuigan surprised me, then, by being nuanced, interesting, and moving. It is the story of a 13-year old Irish American girl who is growing up in 1963 with an African American best friend and an alcoholic father. Touching on issues of race, class, and social change, the author offers up a very good read.

Heartsinger is a slender novel by Dutch author Karlijn Stoffels, which is ostensibly the story of two musicians--Mee, who can see into people's souls and sing their sorrows, and Mitou, who brings great joy to everyone who hears her songs. I'm so glad that I ignored my feelings that it was going to be corny and vague, as it is beautifully written! Stoffels weaves together the disparate stories of numerous characters to create a whole that is far greater than the sum of its gorgeous parts. The reader doesn't always understand how the different tales are going to fit together, so when the connections become clear, it's all the more delightful.

DIY

There's always been a certain draw to doing things yourself, and when the economy tanks, DIY can be a money-saver, too! HCL has several new books that will help you take on various projects.
My friend's mother crochets, and every year about this time she gives me beautiful towels, cloth napkins, blankets and more with crocheted edges. Crochet Edgings and Trims by Kate Haxell promises to teach 150 different stitches that can be used to edge various items. With that many stitches, this book is sure to have something for every level of crochet aficionado.

Since we live in the state that coined a term, "Michigan basement," for unfinished under-the-house space, The Black and Decker Complete Guide to Finishing Basements is certainly appropriate. With many ideas for fixing common problems like moisture and lack of light, this book will help you tackle this large task. This book contains many photos to help you along.

Complete Leatherwork: Easy Techniques and Over 20 Great Projects by Katherine Pogson contains just what the name implies--detailed instructions on how to make a variety of projects using leather. Since it also includes information on basic tools and techniques, it should be useful for everyone, from beginners to pros.

It's nearly December, and with that will surely come snow, but it's never too early to think about spring and gardening. The Rock Garden Plant Primer: Easy Small Plants for Containers, Patios and the Open Garden by Christopher Grey-Wilson recommends easy-to-grow plants for a variety of garden situations. Whether you have a lot of space or only a tiny nook, you're sure to find some greenery that will please.

Something For All You Twilight Fans

The latest Twilight movie, New Moon, opens across the country at midnight tonight, and you can bet that teenagers and adults alike are excited. The Twilight books are a phenomenon, but what do you do when you've finished all four and have a craving for more supernatural romance? One option is Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. About a teenaged girl's lifelong fascination with a yellow-eyed wolf and the yellow-eyed boy who loves her, this story is very popular with people who like the Twilight series.

A Lucky Find

"Feelers" are people who dispose of all the furniture and junk in buildings after the owner has died, and they often find money hidden away (and get to keep it, as there are contracts and whatnot). This is a good book about a profession I knew nothing about. The protagonist's flowery style of speaking can be slightly disoncerting at first, but it allowed me an understanding of his character that I appreciated. And I had no idea how the story was going to end, which doesn't always happen when I'm reading. You could pair this book with Mop Men: Inside the World of Crime Scene Cleaners by Alan Emmins, a non-fiction book about another not-so-run-of-the-mill job.